An Anniversary to Die For by Valerie Wolzien Read Free Book Online Page B

room?”
    Susan laughed for the first time since seeing Ashley in her bed. “Nothing like that. The doors have these big metal keys. I suspect I could break into a room there without any trouble at all.”
    “But how would anyone just looking in the door know that you and Jed were staying in that particular room?”
    “No one else would have a room full of gifts.”
    “The gifts weren’t always there,” Kathleen pointed out. “At the beginning of the party, they were piled on a long trestle table in the room where the television is located.”
    “Constance and Alvena call that the Southern Parlor,” Susan commented.
    “Is there a Northern Parlor?”
    “I have no idea.” Susan paused. “You know, I didn’t see any gifts.”
    “That’s because one of the Twigg sisters stood at the door, greeting your guests and directing people toward you and Jed. Guests who brought gifts were also told where they should be left before you saw them.”
    “Oh . . . I guess that was a good idea.”
    “I gather you didn’t know about it.”
    “No, I thought we’d discussed everything when we went over party plans, but gifts never came up.”
    “Well, the Twiggs—it seems strange to call them that, doesn’t it—were prepared for them. But the question is, when were they moved into your room?”
    “Why?”
    “Well, I think we can assume that if Ashley was on your bed, whoever moved the gifts in there would have mentioned it.”
    “Good point. Of course, we don’t know if Ashley was killed in the room or killed somewhere else and moved there.”
    “Susan, we’re not investigating this murder, are we?”
    “No, I guess not. I mean, I haven’t thought about it in those terms. I just have lots of questions. After all, she did end up in my bed.”
    “True.”
    “Under my presents—which are now being held by the local police. Peter said something about dusting them for fingerprints.”
    “You’re kidding.”
    “No. Don’t you think they’ll find any?”
    “They’re bound to find some—and I suppose the murderer’s could be among those of the gift givers, the Twigg sisters, members of their staff, the salespeople who wrapped them, and anyone else who came in contact with them since they were wrapped up. On the other hand, once those people are eliminated, if someone’s prints turn up over and over again, it’s possible that that someone is the murderer.”
    “Do you think it’s Doug?” Susan asked.
    “That’s what everyone’s going to be asking when they hear about this.” Kathleen put her arms on the table and looked at Susan. “What do you think?”
    “I don’t see him as a murderer. I mean, I wasn’t really surprised when Ashley was arrested for poisoning Doug. Well, I was surprised that anyone was poisoning Doug, but it made sense that if anyone was, Ashley was. Does that make sense?”
    “You don’t like Ashley.”
    “Can’t stand her. And you know what’s worse? I feel guilty about the way I feel. I’ve never not gotten along with a neighbor before. We’ve lived in this house for almost twenty-five years. We’ve had lots of new neighbors. And I’ve never felt this way about anyone else.”
    “Susan, it’s not you. It’s Ashley. She just wasn’t the type to be a good neighbor. Let’s face it, she was bossy and self-centered. Not a good combination.”
    “That’s true. But, you know, I’ve been thinking about it, and I think I’ve come to agree with Doug.”
    “About what?”
    “I don’t think she was the person who was trying to poison him.”
    “Really? Most of the people I know wouldn’t agree with that. Everyone’s been talking about the trial for months. And everyone seems to think that Ashley was guilty as hell.”
    Susan shook her head. “No. If Ashley had decided to poison someone, that someone would be dead. Ashley is competent as well as determined.”
    Kathleen seemed to muse on Susan’s words. “You’re right about that, but it just leaves us with one